Last week Victory Records sent some albums to Metalrage to review. One of the albums was The Black Maria album Lead us to Reason, which has been released on January 25th. The band has got 5 members with different musical backgrounds. According to the bio The Black Maria is a new chapter in the career of these guys. Well, I have listened to this album a few times, so let’s see what I think of this album.

 

The first time I listened to this album I noticed the wide arrangement of instruments. There are acoustic guitars but also a piano on this record. Besides that the singer has got a great screamo voice. On this record the vocals are produced in an awesome smooth way. Besides that there are really cool effects on this album which covers the music entirely. For example in the song Organs the music fades away to the back and a different songs start with the fade out in the background. This really sounds original and refreshing to me.

 

When I first saw the cover I didn’t get the impression that it would be the music I am listening to right now. The cover is dark in one way and mysterious when you look at it longer. It looks like a metal album and I knew it wasn’t that style of music but the cover gives a different perspective.

The image on the CD is in the style of the website. (check out their website, it is very cool. A shame there isn’t that much information on it). The rest of the cover of my version is complete, there is enough information in the booklet, altough the inside is a bit boring.

 

Back to the music, another song which really got my attention is Sirens. Especially because of the strange type of sound at the beginning. When I listened to it again it sounded like an electronic effect over the vocals. After this short scream the instruments come in with short breaks. Too bad this song has got a very calm part in the middle.

 

When I listened to this record I noticed this really was a band with their own style. Overall this album is a must have for each screamo or emo fan and if you get the chance check out their site or the MySpace of the band for some music. The unique combination of instruments and effects will get you.

 

Chris Gray – Vocals

Kyle Bishop – Guitar / Vocals

Mike De Eyre – Bass, Keyboards

Alan Nacinovic – Guitar

Derek Patrella – Drums

 

1. The Memento

2. Betrayal

3. Organs

4. Our Commitment‘s A Sickness

5. The Distance From The Bottom

6. The Lines We Cross

7. Mirrors And Cameras

8. Siren

9. To Have Loved

10. Ash

11. Rats In The Prison